Battle of Coronea (447 BC) facts for kids

The Battle of Coronea was an important fight that happened in ancient Greece in 447 BC. It was part of a bigger conflict called the First Peloponnesian War. This battle was fought between the Athenian-led Delian League (a powerful group of city-states allied with Athens) and the Boeotian League (an alliance of cities in the region of Boeotia).

What Led to the Battle?

Athens' Growing Power

Around 457 BC, the city of Athens had taken control of Boeotia, a region in ancient Greece, after winning the Battle of Oenophyta. For the next ten years, Athens tried to make its power stronger over the areas it controlled.

Changes in the Delian League

The Delian League was an alliance of Greek city-states, but it was mostly controlled by Athens. In 454 BC, Athens lost many ships while trying to help a revolt in Egypt against the Persian Empire. Because of this big loss, Athens worried that other members of the Delian League might try to rebel. To keep its control, Athens moved the league's money and treasures from the island of Delos to Athens in 453 BC. Around 450 BC, Athens also signed a peace treaty with Persia, called the Peace of Callias.

Trouble in Boeotia

Even though Athens was strong at sea, it had more trouble keeping control of lands far from the coast. By 447 BC, some people who had been forced to leave Boeotia after Athens took over in 457 BC started to come back home. They began to take back some of the towns in Boeotia that Athens had been controlling.

The Battle Itself

Athenian March into Boeotia

To stop these revolts, the Athenians sent an army into Boeotia. Their leader was a general named Tolmides. He had about 1,000 hoplites (these were heavily armed foot soldiers, common in ancient Greece) and other troops from Athens' allies. Their goal was to take back the towns that the Boeotians had recaptured.

The Fight at Coronea

The Athenian army managed to capture a town called Chaeronea. However, they were soon attacked by the Boeotian forces at a place called Coronea. The Boeotians fought hard and defeated the Athenians. During this battle, the Athenian general Tolmides was killed.

What Happened After the Battle?

Boeotia Gains Freedom

Because of their defeat, the Athenians were forced to give up control of Boeotia. The Boeotians agreed to let the remaining Athenian soldiers leave Boeotia safely. In return, Boeotia was allowed to leave the Delian League and become independent again.

Wider Impact

This defeat for Athens had big consequences. It led to other revolts in places like Euboea and Megara. These revolts then caused more conflicts with Sparta, another powerful Greek city-state. All these events eventually contributed to the start of the much larger and famous Peloponnesian War, which changed the course of ancient Greek history.